Chapter 15
Draco blinks. People shuffle around the dorm. He yawns and sits up. Blaise is snoring beside him.
"Not only is he a traitor but gay," someone says.
Draco snorts. "Even if I were gay, I wouldn't date Blaise."
"I'd be a brilliant boyfriend to you. You're missing out," Blaise says.
Draco shakes his head. "I need someone better than you."
"I bet he likes Potter," someone snickers.
Draco yawns. "At least I have options. Speaking of, Blaise, I'm heading to meet Ron and Hermione. Join me?"
Blaise groans. "I thought I agreed as long as you didn't wake me up early in the morning."
"You did but you're already awake."
"Fine," he says.
They get ready and head out. They meet in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Pansy and Millicent join them along with Lara and Cedric.
"Find anything out?"
"Not really. People are nervous or trying to figure out how it happened," Lara says.
Cedric shakes his head. "They are all nervous, they're not even going out for midnight snacks," he says.
Draco nods. He turns to Ron and Hermione.
"Nope. Everyone seems sure it's you or Harry," Hermione says, "I've been trying to figure out how it could work but I haven't learned anything."
"We'll ask Hagrid if he knows of any beasts that can do that," Draco says.
"What about you?" Ron asks.
Draco wrinkles his nose. "I've managed to start an argument with Flint. Other than that, there's only really been accusations that I'm dating Blaise."
"The girls are certain it's Draco and he's just trying to get everyone off his case," Pansy says.
The door opens and Harry enters. "Hey," he says.
Draco stands and meets him. "Your arm?"
Harry holds it out. Draco prods at it making sure the bones are fully formed and that there are no injuries. "Seems good," he mutters.
Harry pokes him. "Yes. Now, I have some stuff to tell you guys, ah, but..." He glances at Pansy, Cedric, Blaise, Lara, and Millicent.
"Well, I'm off. I want to eat," Cedric says.
"I'll join you. I was sleeping with Draco far too late," Blaise says.
"I'm going to the library," Millicent says.
"I'll join you," Pansy says.
"I'll go with you." Lara hugs Draco. "I'll see you later. Don't get into too much trouble."
Draco nods. "Same with you."
She rolls her eyes. "Right, because I always get in trouble." She leaves with a wave.
Harry turns to Draco guiltily. "I didn't mean to make her leave."
"It's fine, Harry. Honestly, I would prefer she isn't involved in this too much," he says.
He nods and sits with Hermione and Ron. Draco summons his herb pouch and cauldron.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asks.
"Energizing potions and then healing potions. Harry gets hurt often and I don't trust that idiot to not make it worse again," he says.
"But-" Harry says.
Draco glares at him. He shuts his mouth.
"Okay, Harry, what did you find?"
"First, Colin Creevy was petrified Dumbledore said something about the Chamber of Secrets," Harry says.
Draco sighs. He knew it was the case, but he didn't want to believe it.
"Wow," Ron says.
"Dobby also came to give me a warning to leave. Apparently, he took my letters and blocked the train entrance," Harry says.
Draco pauses. "Why?"
"He doesn't want me here. He said I'm in danger," he says.
Dobby wouldn't know anything unless his family was involved. He's almost certain it isn't him so it must have to do with Lucius.
"I know you would never do anything intentionally, but could you be doing it on accident, Draco?" Hermione asks.
He would normally get upset but he doesn't know. What if he has been accidentally doing this? The first time in spite and now because he can't control it. He could be attacking people and never knowing.
Reggie lands on his shoulder and nuzzles his cheek.
"I'm certain it's not me. I'm pretty sure since it's connected to Slytherin it has to do with snakes and I've seen a few and they're just as likely to attack me as anyone else," he says.
Hermione nods. "Your dad?"
"Yeah. It's probably Lucius," he says, "Not directly but he must have something to do with it if Dobby knows something. I could try ordering him to tell me about it but if my dad found out it wouldn't end well." For either of them.
"Okay. So, Lucius has somehow done something or been around someone who has," Hermione says, "It doesn't help much but at least it's something."
Draco bottles his potions and cleans his stuff up. "Off to potions," he says.
"After you're finished with potions?" Ron asks.
Draco shrugs. "It should be swelling potion today. It's an interesting one because the practicality can vary. It's also interesting to see how it can be used in a variety of situations," he says.
"You're more nerdy than Hermione," Ron says.
Draco shrugs.
Draco and Harry work together on the potion and Ron and Hermione. Harry almost destroys it but Draco stops him and explains how to do it right.
"What's your favorite potion?"
"Vulnera Sanentur," he says. Not because it saved his life but because one day it might save someone else's. Initially he hated it because it saved him. He wanted to die at that point. Then he thought about it more and saw how much potential it had to save other people who get put in the same or similar positions and Harry wouldn't have to live with accidentally killing him.
"Never heard of it," Harry says.
"It heals people," Draco says.
Harry looks at him. "You really love healing."
Draco nods. "It's better to heal than hurt." Especially, now. He doesn't want to hurt anyone unless necessary.
Draco sets the vial on Snape's desk and turns. He somehow ends up tripping. He's certain it was a jinx. His chest makes contact with the floor and the room explodes. Every cauldron is empty, the contents splattered across the room. People's exposed skin begin swelling. Draco sits up and sees it. Did he do that?"
"Draco?" Snape asks.
Draco turns to him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I just got surprised and," he says. He sweeps an arm to the dripping room.
Snape shakes his head. "I'll take care of that. Are you okay?"
Draco nods. He doesn't have any potion on him. His knee stings but he's fine.
"Whoever put that jinx will be expelled if I find out who did it. You cannot put a classmate in danger in here. It can end with everyone being in danger if you cause accidents," Snape says.
Harry helps him up and they head toward the door. Most students had their potions and when Draco blew them up were hit. The only ones who didn't were him and Harry and Hermione and Ron.
Pansy, Blaise, and Millicent all have swelling.
"I'm sorry," Draco says.
They shake their heads.
"Not your fault," Pansy says.
They leave the room and go to the next class.
Draco tried to convince them not to join the stupid dueling club with the most incompetent person he knows, and he fails. Lockhart and Snape show an example. Lockhart loses easily despite his claims that it was intentional Harry and Draco do not believe him. Lockhart allows them to pair up with their choice as long as they are in a different house. Millicent and Hermione. Blaise and Ron. Harry and Draco. They use charms like tickling and leg-jerk spells in their duels.
"Since you two are practicing so thoroughly why don't you show the rest of the class how to protect yourselves," Lockhart says.
They stand on the stage area. Draco knows it won't be the same as the last time because he will not put a snake out. Snape told him to last time but he's nowhere close this time. He glances at the crowd. He's whispering to Theo Nott. He doesn't get much time to watch before he's being told to get ready.
They each cast a spell but before it can continue a snake is between them. Theo glares at Draco. He sighs. He goes to cast the counter, but Lockhart throws it in the air and angers it. The snake slithers toward Justin Finch-Fletchley.
Harry says, "Wait, do not attack him."
The snake falls still but then turns to Draco. It goes to strike but Draco catches it.
"Don't attack me either," Draco says.
"You hold no power over me," the snake says, "You're an animalium dicentis. Not a Parseltongue."
"It wasn't a demand it was a request," Draco says.
The snake tries to wriggle free. "Throw it up, Draco."
Draco glares at Snape.
"Do you want to be put into the wild?"
The snake stops. "Will you?"
"If it's what you want," he says.
"Please," it says.
Draco set it on his shoulder, and it wraps loosely around his neck. The groups are astounded, disgusted, or confused. Harry is relieved.
"Are you well, Justin?" Harry asks.
Justin runs out of the room. Harry watches after him confused. Hermione and Ron meet them with Millicent, Blaise, Pansy, and Lara.
"That was pretty cool. You just caught the snake midjump and now it's wrapped around your neck. Aren't you worried it will strangle you?" Blaise asks.
Draco shakes his head.
"Yeah. Draco promised to set it free," Harry says.
"So, you could understand me too?"
Harry nods. "Of course, I could."
"Harry, you were speaking another language. The language of snakes," Hermione says.
"You're a Parseltongue," Ron says, "Why didn't you tell us?"
"I didn't know? I just spoke and the snake listened," Harry says.
Draco nods. "It makes sense. You don't necessarily talk to snakes every day," he says.
"I suppose not," Ron says.
"It makes sense that time at the zoo when I conversed with the snake though. I kind of thought everyone could do it," Harry says.
"Nope. It's rare," Draco says.
"But you can do it," Millicent says.
Draco shakes his head. "It's not the same. I can talk to all animals and Parseltongue has a bit more of a sway over snakes," he says.
"You're a strange human," the snake says.
Harry nods. "True," he says.
They stare at them.
"The snake called me weird," he says.
They nod.
"This is going to make proving that we aren't the heirs of Slytherin a lot more difficult," Draco says.
"What?" Harry asks.
"Well, we just talked to a snake which is one of the marks of being the heir. Being Parseltongue is hereditary," he says.
"But we both did it."
He nods. "My ability to talk to animals isn't exactly normal either so I can't give that as an excuse. I'm sure you're not Salazar's heir but people will continue to believe whatever they want," he says.
Harry sighs and nods.
They separate to go to their dorms. Draco decides to stick with Harry for the night.
"It's fine, really. I know it's a bit selfish but I'm glad that I'm not the only one being accused," Harry says, "Somehow it's comforting."
Draco laughs. "I'm glad I can be of service. Also, I want to stick with you. It's stressful either way and not everyone is going to treat you the same. At least if we're together their attention will be between us," he says.
Harry sighs and nods.
They walk in silence. Harry occasionally opens his mouth but closes it soon after.
"Spit it out, Harry," Draco says.
"How do we know that the hat didn't make a mistake?" Harry asks.
Draco raises an eyebrow.
"Well, it put me in Gryffindor, but I keep showing that I'm closer to a Slytherin," he says.
Draco twists one of his rings. "The houses aren't clear lines of who belongs where. The hat told me I could go anywhere I wanted. Sometimes it's hard because people are complex and can have qualities that are just as much so. Being Slytherin wouldn't be a bad thing for you, but I think Gryffindor is perfect. You always do what you think is best and push on until you complete what you need to. You don't back down from a challenge which can be stressful for me, but it helps so many people," he says.
"Thanks, Draco," he says. He yawns and goes silent.
Draco rolls over and goes to sleep.
"Harry, I know you want to clear the air, but don't you think it might be too early?" Draco asks. "It was only yesterday where Justin thought we were sicking a snake on him."
Harry side-eyes him. "If we don't care of the problem now it will only get worse."
Draco groans. "Whatever. Lead the way, golden boy," he says.
Harry grins and starts toward the library. Draco follows him. A group of Hufflepuffs stand on the other side of the shelf.
"Which is it?" one asks.
"Draco Malfoy for sure," another says.
"But Harry was controlling the snake. It seemed like Draco was just having a conversation," another says.
"Also, Harry didn't get killed by he-who-shall-not-be-named. It's probably because he had dark magic protecting him," the first one says.
Harry winces.
Draco turns the corner.
"Where is Justin?" Harry asks.
The three of them shuffle away.
"Why? Are you going to attack him?"
"No. We want to clarify what happened yesterday," Harry says.
They glare at them.
"We can find him another time," Draco whispers.
Harry nods. They leave the library and start walking back to Gryffindor. Hagrid comes across them holding a dead chicken.
"Why do you have a dead chicken?" Harry asks.
"Someone's been killin' them," Hagrid says.
Draco steps forward. "How did they die?"
"Mostly snapped necks," Hagrid says.
Draco doesn't see how that is relevant to the current problem, but it must be because it's too weird for it to not be. He can't see why though.
"I was 'bout to report i' to Dumbledore," Hagrid says.
Draco nods. "That's a good idea," he says. He strokes Reggie's side. He hopes whatever is killing them won't attack his bird. Reggie coos.
They part ways.
"What's your favorite animal to talk to?" Harry asks.
"Reggie."
"No-" Harry stumbles.
They look down and see a petrified Justin. Floating near is Nearly-Headless Nick. Draco winces. It will look bad if they're found around another petrified person or animal. But it would probably be worse if they left it.
Draco opens his mouth, but Peeves beats him and screeches. People rush into the corridor. Teachers and students glare at them. McGonagall pushes through she shifts her gaze around the scene.
"Come here," she says.
Draco and Harry go to her. She walks them to Dumbledore's office. Maybe he'll be expelled before he can die again. He almost wants to laugh. This was his previous pretend desire. To be known as the Heir of Slytherin and now he would prefer anything but.